Was her power of enchantment over Roderic still unbroken--could she draw him to her even after an absence of two years--had the bar that separated them been cast aside? How these questions flashed before her eyes and seemed burned upon her brain like coals of fire. She suffered intensely, but the bluff old sea dog never knew it--indeed he believed her to be unusually brilliant, her wit was so keen and her suggestions as to their coming voyage so remarkably clever. She dreaded the thought of having to retire in this state of uncertainty. The hour drew on--it neared eleven, and the ladies had wholly disappeared. Then Cleo suddenly gave a sigh of relief, for her eager eyes had discovered his well known figure entering the front door of the hotel. She noted instantly that he looked disturbed, and that his usually natty appearance was lacking--and practical Cleo knew Roderic had been through an adventure. Half rising as she beckoned to him, she awaited his coming with breathless impatience. CHAPTER V. RODERIC'S REPENTANCE. Roderic had indeed been up against it good and hard since leaving his cousin at the breakfast table. He had entered upon his duties of the day with a vim, desirous of closing his accounts so that he might get away on the next morning, if Cleo and her captain were willing. During the morning he was haunted by certain facts which bore heavily upon the relations existing between present conditions and those that prevailed two years back. The girl from Porto Rico occupied a prime place in all these reflections. Every word that had been spoken by her on the preceding night came again before his mental vision, and underwent a revised scrutiny. New solutions sprang up, for he was able to better understand certain things that were uttered. Still there was much to puzzle him. How came she to know of Cleo, his cousin--true, in times past, when paradise seemed opening to his feet--ah, what a fool's dream he had indulged in--he must have frequently spoken of his cousin, for she was often in his mind; but that would not account for her pertinent remarks concerning Cleo's attachment for him. Was it jealousy prompted this? Roderic flushed with pleasure at the very thought of such a thing, since the green-eyed monster can never lodge in a human heart unless there still remains love to stir the depths. Then, somehow, he felt a strange shudder pass through his whole frame. Would it bring trouble of any kind to this loyal cousin, whose welfare was certainly as dear to him as that of a sister? He knew much of these southern women--their virtues and frailties--and realized what a serious thing it meant to be passionately loved by one of them, and how ill they brooked rivalry.